Surf Expo launches new preview event

Show organizers for Surf Expo, the largest boardsports and beach lifestyle tradeshow, launched a new event focused on the needs of the surf marketplace. Preview Days by Surf Expo will be held June 23-24, 2016 in Orlando, Fla.

Emanating from the needs of the core surf market’s buyers and manufacturers, Preview Days by Surf Expo will provide a platform for East Coast Spring orders.

“Preview Days will offer surf manufacturers access the top East Coast retailers in a simple, turnkey environment. Once again, we have chosen Orlando as our home, as it offers accounts from the East Coast, Gulf and Caribbean an affordable, easy to access marketplace,” said, Roy Turner, show director and SVP, Surf Expo.

Preview Days by Surf Expo follows a long tradition of preview buying days held before each Surf Expo, when select brands and key surf retailers worked lines in a relaxed and productive environment. Retail attendees will be able to efficiently see surf lines at the beginning of the sales window, place last minute orders for July 4 and coordinate summer marketing efforts with surf brands.

“We are constantly listening to the needs of our customers. Production shifts in the surf marketplace have opened an opportunity in addition to the current Surf Expo offering,” added Turner. “We look forward to filling that need with this new event”.

Dylan Slater, SVP, sales & marketing, Rip Curl commented, “We (Rip Curl) are excited about Preview Days. We believe this will be a viable solution to our industry’s need to get the brands in front of our East Coast retailers in one location for the launch of our Spring product collections.”

Board Retailers Association Chairman Todd Canipe said, “Surf Expo has listened to the needs of our retailers. Preview Days will be a great addition to Surf Expo and strengthen our industry and the ability to do business.”